Well that was a disappointment

 I arranged to meet up with Pam to go to the talk together.  I set off at the appropriate time, but found the car park packed - rugby practice on the Groe, folk for the talk and folk boozing up the town.  Found a place nearby but then discovered that the talk was over-supported and there was limited standing room only.  (I didn't know they had that many members!) NO WAY was I going to stand for two hours.  A hot fug of breath and warm people hit me at the door too, which boded ill if anyone had a cold!  So as soon as Pam arrived, we agreed to go for a drink instead.  It made a pleasant change, though my left ear is a little deaf/full of wax, whichever, and the background noise (din at times, as lots of young lads in the pub) made conversation difficult.  I can't remember the last time I went out for a drink of an evening, so it was a novelty!

From yesterday's walk - nice and level!  Just what my lower back requires.

Guelder rose berries.

It's a good year for Blackberries.  My freezer is full now though.

Sloes too - a shame I can't reach them.

As Tam and Rosie are here later, I had best do my walk sooner rather than later.  My back should hopefully ease up then too.

Enjoy your weekend.

All Around the World quilt and today's walk

 

Lizzy (Gone to the Beach) suggested removing the horrid polyester wadding and I am with her on that.  However, the lady who made this has machine quilted it to the central block, so that square will have to stay, along with that area of the ancient flannel sheeting she used.  It will be covered over anyway.  This is a king size bed so this must be nearly double in size.  I intend to add blocks to the top and bottom and a narrow border to the sides.  I will take it along to my quilting group next week and see what The Boss has to say about it!

Sorry, the light from the big window doesn't show the colours clearly at all.

I popped round to see my friend Pam earlier, for a natter, and then had my level walk along the old railway line.  Several cyclists using this (it is a cycle path) today.  One chap on his own and then 3 others, who were consulting their map and going on to Llanwrthwl (and possibly the Elan valley after as it's on the way).  I told them about the church there with the big standing stone by the entrance and they said they would check it out.

Pam and I are going to a talk given by the Heritage Society tonight, about the history of a local house (Pencerrig) - talented local artist Thomas Jones lived there.

Tam messaged me earlier on and she and Rosie are coming for the weekend.  I will make us a chicken curry and find something to tempt Rosie with . . .  She likes everything that is bad for her - salami and pepperoni and ham and sausage rolls . . .  I have a home made cheese and onion pasty in the freezer she may eat.

I enjoyed "Agatha" on Prime last night - it is very close to the book with her in I'm reading at the moment!  She meets up with Leonard and Katherine Woolley (he was THE archaeologist back in the 20s and 30s) at the dig at Ur in Mesopotamia.  Dastardly doings and of course she meets the love of her life, Max Mallowan, in the book and in the drama.  A nice evening's viewing.

Listened to a Podcast In Our Time yesterday, about The Battle of Crecy.  Then The Rest is History, and The Klu Klux Klan.  

A Country Bribe!

 

This was on my doorstep earlier on. The tomato is ENORMOUS.  My neighbour is away for the weekend, could I water round for him please?  I explained my sore back, and we agreed I would just use the hose.

I decided I would have a morning out and go to Doughty's in Hereford for fabric for binding.  Also some to try and finish this quilt off.  No way could I match any of these of course.  I took photos . . .

There was nothing remotely like any of it.  The colours weren't true in the photo either so the "may do" fabrics I use may be an outer border.  That blue print on white - NOTHING like it in the shop. Or the pale lemon, grey, white . . . or the stripe come to that!!

The bright pink print is backing width, so will do well for Danny's quilt with lots left over.  The next one in is the right pink for the quilt with no centre which I repaired, but was £24 and now I have it home I am thinking, that's a lot for binding and it's lovely fabric, so may think again on that.  The other three prints are pale lemon with snowflakes, a bright blue print which whilst absolutely nothing like the print used is at least a similar blue as a background, and the washy one is pale lemon butterflies which isn't a bad match for the pale lemon on the quilt.  Now looking on line for better matches as their selections today a bit disappointing . . .

Hawthorn berries on my walk today.  I shall be up and along the old railway line all week as I have to walk on the level. It's a mile each way.

A little hint that the farmer does NOT want you to drive through his gate thank you very much.  You can tell there's a quarry just up the road!

Looking across to Aberedw mynydd.  The farmer has been very proactive and cut his hedges already.

I went to Breinton Farm Shop for apples.  Lord Lamborne, Laxton Fortune and Red Windsor. Good heritage apples with SO much flavour.  MUCH cheaper than supermarket apples imported half way round the world.

Off to do my exercises again on my yoga mat.  

Rosehips here and a Robin's Pincushion at the top.

"You'll do yourself a mischief" . . .

 . . . was an expression my mum used.  This past weekend she was right, as in taking the tables out of the car and putting them into the workshop, I did just that.  My right Sacro Iliac and I fell out . . .  By yesterday I was yelling with pain if I sat too long or when I stood up.  No painkiller helped, nor Ibuprofen gel, and although walking did ease it, hot compresses were the only thing bringing relief.  Then last night I could suddenly hear Keith's voice saying to go and get a bag of peas which is what he would have told me to do when this has happened in the past.  That I did, and indeed it did help.  This morning I phoned my chiropractor and managed to get a cancelled appt for tomorrow afternoon.  A little while later and the receptionist phoned again saying someone else had cancelled this afternoon, could I make that appt.  You bet I could!  I put the few things I had been taking to change round at the Unit in the car and drove down there.  Amazingly the car seat supported my lower back well and it was a virtually pain-free journey, apart from when I stopped at Llandovery for a chocolate bar and the treat of a Heartsease Raspberry drink.   So I have had the first of two treatments.  It is pretty inflamed, so I have to alternately cold and then hot compress it for 20 minutes each, 3 times a day.  I have exercises to do as well - just like yoga ones.  Walking for 30 - 45 mins on the flat too, so I will walk the railway line.

I had a walk around Matalan to kill time and spotted this autumnal duvet set.  I have a soft spot for Fungi, but stayed my hand!  However, I did buy another fitted sheet, this time in pale green, which will go nicely with the gorgeous bedlinen I have just received from my dear friend D.  An early Christmas present - checkmate for the early birthday present I sent her!!

I had an idea when I was sat in the car eating my lunch today.  The tables are the problem with doing the big Fair.  Right, best idea to sell them and buy lightweight ones.  Problem solved.  Oh, and clearing the old stock too. . .  Some is going to the best charity shop in Llandod.  (Bracken Trust).

Tomorrow I have an early appointment for an overlooked Blood Test.  Lass didn't know what it was for but probably something to do with my  blood thinners.  

Yesterday's choice from the Library.

I watched some of my favourite Azerbaijan programme yesterday - she had a mountain of Sweet Red Peppers and was bottling some on their own, others with ridge size cucumbers. others stuffed with mince for a meal etc.  Such a restful programme to watch.

Today's podcasts: Last of the Fairies from The Three Ravens; In Our Time - Nefertiti; The Rest is History - Franklin - Revenge of the American Genius.

Reading: Death in a Desert Land by Andrew Wilson.

The cost of living

 Somehow, I managed to unpack the car this morning.  I took two Panadol before I started, to ease my aching back and other sore body parts . . .  I managed it on my own, as although I asked for help with the tables, but no reply to my text so I carried on . . .  The Panadols have now well and truly worn off and I can't wait to get to bed tonight.

You might just make out a Thrush who was enjoying the Blackberries in my hedge.

I had a Greggs breakfast in the car - a sausage roll.  I'm glad they don't state the ingredients or I would probably never eat anything from there again!  I also had a can of Diet Coke to stop me falling asleep over my trolley in Tesco.

I bought some more things for the storecupboard.  Jane (Frugal Queen in France) was suggesting that plum tomatoes were a better buy than already chopped ones as there was more of the product in the tin and less juice.  I thought I would try it and see - they are the same price anyway.  I bought 4 tins, and another pack of Passata and Tomato Puree with red wine in.  I was going to buy a small can of Corned Beef for the store cupboard - to eat if no electricity to cook with - but they were £4.05 in Tesco - clearly the new haute cuisine!  They are half that price in Aldi . . .  I was only in Tesco because I had 8 things on my shopping list and I was feeling wiped out and not up to going to Aldi as well, but of course you know it's difficult to stick hard and fast to the list and I ended up with more but the meat I bought (2 gammon steaks, a small pack of good (5%) mince and two Tesco steak pies) will do more than a week's worth of meals and I bought 8 various tins for the storecupboard, and replaced an empty Ground Nutmeg and running low on Ground Ginger (x 2 there).  Cat bics that I use on special offer two, two for £8, and Twinings Earl Grey teabags also on offer, so two of those to stock up as I was down to my last pack.

I also bought a new winter sheet for my bed, brushed cotton, which is already washed and drying in the top hall.  It replaces one which has never really been deep enough and has now got saggy elastic stopping it from being a proper fitted sheet.  It was £15, which boosted my bill, but needs must.

I am now absolutely on my hunkers and the thought of getting my hotty botty made up and warming my feet is very attractive.  I have an electric blanket but don't use that until the depths of winter or the mattress gets too hot.

Reading: JD Kirk: Better the Devil (excellent! although it was making me lol at the Fair!).

Today's Podcast: Fairies, from the Three Ravens folklore podcasts.

This will be the last time . . .

 Is what my brain is singing right now.  Oh my goodness, I am absolutely BUSHED.  It is all the packing and lifting single handed which is so exhausting.  I was tired when Keith and I did Fairs together, and he did all the lifting and packing.  On my own - well, I know I will have to call on my offspring to help if I do this Fair again.  That in itself is a moot point because new owners have managed to pretty well kill this fair in the single year they have been running it, just from sheer greed.  Putting prices up abruptly (20% on our stalls alone and more on the ones in the two posher buildings, especially if you have a fitted stand to hand paintings or display furniture.)  There are NO outside stalls up beyond the main buildings now - there used to be dozens - apart from a few under cover in the nearest outbuilding, but they used to go right up to the gate where the traders drive in to set up.  There used to be LOTS to the left of the main ring too.  Those are getting much fewer in number - a good third down.  The two front halls are half and 2/3 empty and it is not a good look.  They have managed to get rid of the stalls selling tea/coffee/chips/burgers etc, and the named breed sausages, ice cream - many were stalls which had traded their for 25 years or more.  The replacements have really hoiked their prices - £3.50 just for a cup of tea!!!  Burgers £8.50 - £12.50, canned drinks £3!  etc to cover costs.

Anyway, it was good to see old friends and make new ones, and have lovely chats with people, buying or not.  I have some pennies towards my MoT and other bills.  I am home.  Unpacking will happen over the next couple of days and I will ask for help with the awkward tables.

This made me laugh.  This lady had bought a taxidermy fox and it had suddenly rained heavily so they wrapped it up for her, but all you could see was its brush and a bin liner over its head, like it was going to do a bank job!!!

Quite the strangest thing in the Fair.  Much as I like the unusual, NOT for me!!!  

I liked the furniture on this stall - very much to Keith's and my taste.  The little chair with the wicker back is a lady's version of an Orkney lambing chair.  I think the plain chair behind the nice stick-back on the left is a Wainscot chair.  My favourite is the primitive stick back on the table.

I call that a cheating rocking horse!! One dimensional . . .

A typical outside stall.

What the ??

More personal belongings on my stand - the Richard Bebb (signed) books we bought when they were published - he had an open day at his premises and he was signing them then; the beautiful painted enamel white crane pot holder; the beautifully turned lignum vitae candlesticks, and behind, the Thomas Toft platter by Carole Glover, of Charles II in the oak tree.  That has gone to live in a beautiful Medieval house, a forever home.

Now I am going to cook myself a tiny meal of leftovers and rice and have an early night.

Just some photos

 I am absolutely worn out, so just a few photos around the Fair.

If I had had the money to spare, this painting would have come home with me.  It was absolutely lovely and the light in it just magical.

This hall used to be crammed with more stalls than this.  Not that many people this morning, though it did liven up later.

Tam, Jon and Rosie came over in the afternoon and I took 20 mins off to have a look around the more expensive stands in the front two buildings.  I have to say, they were looking very empty of stalls, badly so.  It has the look of a Fair in decline . . .

Off to watch the last half an hour or so of a good drama, Emily, about Emily Bronte, which is on BBC and I was watching last night.  Then my bed will be very welcome indeed.